Shigellosis & Antibiotic Resistance: Understanding the Risks

Question
Why should we be concerned about drug resistance among bacteria that cause shigellosis, since it usually a pretty mild illness?

In the over 18 population females are more likely to be infected with shigellosis, what would explain the gender disparity?

Thanks!

Answer
shigella can be a pretty bad disease and if not self limiting, ie, getting better by itself, it requires antibiotic treatment.  If there is resistance, we will have less antibiotics to use if there is an outbreak.  And that is one where it doesn't take a lot of bacteria to cause the illness.

I don't know why there is a gender disparity... sorry.